How to Wash Sublimation Shirts | 6 Quick Steps

Sublimation shirts are undoubtedly an amazing addition to your wardrobe that needs protection to expand their life cycle and the design quality of the shirt. And in this concern, how you wash your sublimation shirts plays an important part.

Yes, you heard it right. Washing sublimation shirts with extensive care is an essential part of protecting them from fading because there are certain dos and don’ts which you need to follow. Today’s guide will discuss how you can properly care for and clean your dye sublimation shirt. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

How to Wash Dye Sublimation Shirts?

To protect this expensive asset, you need to wash it out properly. The washing style and procedure for a sublimation shirt differ from the normal shirt. And to make a dye-sublimation shirt last longer, you must take precautions regarding water, detergent selection, and much more.

Let’s get a deep dive into it.

Remove stains (step 1):

The first and foremost step in washing a dye sublimation shirt is to check how much cleanliness your shirt needs. If your shirt has some ketchup, grease, or any other kind of stain, you must remove it before washing it out.

For this, you can try oxygen cleaner or peroxide spray. After general rubbing, spray it on the stain and remove it with a towel. The stain will be removed immediately.

Key takeaway: Make sure to remove any stain on your shirt, and for this, you can use an oxygen cleaner or peroxide spray.

Use cold water (step 2):

Next, whether you want to wash the shirt by hand or with the machine, it’s totally up to you but make sure to fill the bucket with cold water and avoid using warm water. Yes, you heard it right because if you use warm water, it will destroy the color of your sublimation shirt. It will also lead to color bleeding, and your whole shirt will look like a disaster.

Meanwhile, using cold water while washing a dye-sublimation shirt would help you maintain the shirt’s color and design. On the other hand, it wouldn’t even damage your shirt’s fabric and colors, quality, or material.

Key takeaway: Using warm water will fade the color, so use only cold water to improve the design’s quality and grading.

Use mild detergent (step 3):

Adding detergent or soap to your washing task would make the process much easier and help you get a better clean shirt. But remember, while washing dye sublimation shirts, you need to take only soft and mild detergent or soap and use only phosphorus-free detergent.

With that, it’s always recommended not to use bleach, and a detergent or soap with phosphorus would react the same, which could cause color fading.  

So, in short, using chlorine bleach, phosphorus detergent, or soap is not recommended, and if you do so, the chances are you will lose your shirt sooner and it will also affect the fabric color and quality. Buying a mild detergent may cost you money or time to research it, but it would be worth it.

Key takeaway: Fill the bucket or machine with cold water and add some mild detergent or soap. Gently submerge the shirt, and don’t use any bleach or softener during the cleaning process.

Rinse and clean (step 4):

Now you have all done a difficult and cautious procedure, and it’s time to rinse and clean the shirt. And for this, you would use only cold water.

Rinse the garment with clean water until all the soap comes off. You may have to repeat this step, but make sure to let the detergent off properly.

Key takeaway: Rinse the shirt properly with cold water.

Dry the shirt (step 5):

Now, it’s time to dry the shirt, and at this time, if you are washing the shirt with a machine, we recommend removing it immediately from there and hanging them up. Yes, you don’t need to use a dryer machine to dry it up because using dry clean will destroy the sublimation ink. You can hang it up using a wooden hanger.

Direct sunlight is recommended to dry the cloth because the heat from the dryer is not suitable for your dye sublimation shirt. Still, if you are in a hurry and want to use it, make sure to dry clean it only on lower heat settings.

Key takeaway: Dry your shirt using natural resources, like air or direct sunlight. Adjust the settings to lower the heat if you want to use a dryer.

Iron the cloth (step 6):

Now, you are all done, and now it’s time to iron press the shirt and let it store on a cool and dry surface.

Dos for Washing Sublimation Shirts:

• Use a mild detergent
• Use warm or cold water depending
• If you have colored or white garments of dye sublimation, wash them separately.
• Dry your sublimation cloth with a tumble dry setting and on low heat only
• For the best results, make sure to store it in a dry and cool area
• It’s recommended to use only wooden or plastic hangers and, if possible, hang them dry.
• To increase the life cycle of a sublimation shirt, we recommend avoiding frequent washing.

Don’ts For Washing Sublimation Shirts:

• Dry cleaning your dye sublimation shirt is not recommended.
• Metal hangers may leave rust marks on your shirt, so avoid them.
• Better to use something other than warm water.
• Avoid using bleach on your sublimation cloth; if you do so, make sure to do it with extensive care and procedure or use any other substitute.
• Never, ever iron the sublimating design of your shirt.
• Avoid screen printed dryers.

FAQ

Wash Your Sublimation Shirt, Now

Washing clothing is easier, but while washing a dye-sublimation shirt, there are certain tips, tricks, and things that you need to know to effectively wash out your shirt without harming your shirt. That’s why in today’s quick guide, we covered all of your concerns, and if there is still something unanswered, do write in the comment section. We would love to hear from your side.